Civic centre demolition excites councillor

TIM HOWARD

The news that demolition of the Maclean Civic Centre is about to begin is a prayer answered says at least one Clarence Valley councillor.

“All I can say is, hallelujah, this is happening,” said Cr Debrah Novak at the last ordinary council meeting.

“It’s been on the books for about 30 years, and a part of the community desire for even longer to have an extraordinary new building down in Maclean.

“So this is going to be a really, really important place for performing arts and culture in the lower Clarence, and it brings us up with what happens here in Grafton.”

Cr Novak said the community shared her excitement at the start of work and frustration with the delays.

“And I’m just so excited that our community will actually get to see this, because they keep saying to me, ‘it’s never going to happen’.

“It is going to happen. So well done, Team Clarence for getting this onto the table and being demolished.

“And I’m very, very excited to be a part of the project when it’s completed, and being there on opening night.”

The report to council said the new Maclean Community Precinct would include a 290-seat auditorium and box offce, a function room overlooking the Clarence River, multipurpose meeting rooms, a commercial kitchen as well as outdoor landscaped meeting places and a new carpark.

Mayor Ray Smith said he’s looking forward to the Maclean Community Precinct bringing more performing arts opportunities to the Clarence Valley.

“It’s great we are moving forward on this project, with demolition in the works. The new facility will replace the existing run-down facility, that is poorly functioning and does not comply with disability access standards,” he said.

“Strategic review indicated a lack of local performing arts spaces that were appropriate to host contemporary events.

“With 48 River Street, Maclean chosen as the ideal site for a facility to meet this need, the sky is the limit for performing arts in the Clarence Valley.”

Community consultation has been undertaken in the planning of this new facility, with Clarence Valley Council communicating with user groups and residents throughout the design stage.

Demolition will begin this month with construction to commence in 2025.

The Maclean Community Precinct is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Government’s Bushfre Local Economic Recovery Fund in association with Clarence Valley Council.